The Most Exciting Autumn Festivals in Kyiv: Music, Cinema, Books & Gastronomy

Autumn in Kyiv isn’t just about strolling through golden parks and cozy evenings with coffee and TV series — it's also a season full of cultural events. The city is preparing for a vibrant festival season: from local cultural gatherings in Chokolivka to bar shows, book fairs, and animation marathons.

We’ve compiled a selection of the most exciting autumn festivals so you won’t miss a thing.

Festival “Arsenal of Ideas: Different Together”

In September, Mystetskyi Arsenal invites children, teenagers, and adults into a space of science, culture, and play. “Arsenal of Ideas: Different Together” is an annual festival where you can combine creativity and exploration, try out different roles, and learn new things in a playful format.

The festival space is divided into zones that resemble a journey through the “continents” of culture and society. Visitors can explore over 40 stands featuring VR experiences, board games, simulators, musical performances, and interactive activities. 22 museums from across Ukraine will present their own programs. There will also be workshops on TikTok blogging, gardening, acting, media literacy, and even combating misinformation.

The festival also offers a special Playset area for children aged 0 to 4, an educational games fair, art projects, lectures, and concerts. Musicians will perform on stage, and in the “Opportunity Space,” you can meet bloggers, theatre artists, volunteers, and creatives.

• When: September 19–21
• Where: Mystetskyi Arsenal
• Entry: 200–400 UAH

“Svitlychnyk” Festival

The cultural festival “Svitlychnyk” will be held for the second time in Chokolivka, dedicated to the memory of Ivan Svitlychnyi — a poet, translator, cultural activist, and dissident of the Sixtiers movement who lived in this neighborhood.

The festival grew out of a local initiative held on Svitlychnyi’s birthday and has become a platform for discussions about cultural memory and community. This year’s theme is “Connections and Networks of Interaction” — exploring how communities are formed and how memory and heritage support us during times of war.

The program includes talks, poetry readings, workshops, and music. Some events will take place outdoors: on the lawn near the house where Ivan and Leonida Svitlychni lived, in “Suputnyk” park, and on the “Ostriv” platform.

This is a chance to join a tradition that began with apartment concerts at 35 Umanska Street and continues to build bridges between generations.

• When: September 19–21
• Where: 35 Umanska St.; “Suputnyk” Park; “Ostriv” Platform
• Entry: Free, prior registration required

IX "Festival of Ideas"

The "Festival of Ideas" is an annual intellectual event where everyone can share their thoughts and hear the ideas of others. This year marks its ninth edition, and the main theme is “Uncomfortable, Invisible, and Dangerous.”

At the Art Zavod Platforma, thought leaders, government representatives, members of the public sector, and international organizations will gather to discuss today’s most pressing issues: the consequences of war, mobilization, the role of the media, education, and the place and portrayal of women in society.

The program includes not only panel discussions but also the “Alley of Thoughts” — a space for organizations and activists, a photo exhibition “Evacuation Chronicles,” the podcast “The Queue of Life: Voices,” and a training session on psychological first aid. A free “Zatyshno Space” zone will be available for children, offering games and workshops. The day will end with a concert.

• When: September 20
• Where: Art Zavod Platforma
• Entry: Free, prior registration required

Tolkien Day

For two days in September, Kyiv will transform into Middle-earth. Tolkien Day invites fans of *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Hobbit* to immerse themselves in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and see the Shire with their own eyes.

Visitors will enjoy themed food and dances, a craft fair, board games, quests, and workshops — from learning the languages of fictional races to creating maps of magical kingdoms. The atmosphere will be enhanced by a dress code — all participants must come in costumes that match the spirit of Middle-earth: elves, hobbits, dwarves, or other inhabitants of fantastic realms.

The organizers promise a celebration of Frodo and Bilbo’s birthdays, so the area will be filled with a true spirit of adventure. This is a festival where you can transform into your favorite character and feel like part of a great community of Tolkien fans.

• When: September 20–21
• Where: Skvo Space, Hydropark
• Entry: from 550 UAH

Bookland: Fruitful

"Bookland" is one of the largest book festivals in the capital, and this year it will take place for the fourth time. The theme of the event is a summary of the third quarter of 2025 in the Ukrainian book market: which new releases have appeared, which global bestsellers have captivated readers, and which trends will shape the future of the publishing industry.

Visitors will find a large fair of Ukrainian publishers, meetings with writers, literary readings, presentations, and discussions. Separate stands will be dedicated to game manufacturers and themed merchandise, making the festival a gathering place for everyone interested in reading culture in the broadest sense.

Special attention is paid to the atmosphere: each year, “Bookland” transforms the venue into a fantastic setting. This time, the central square of the Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNG) will be decorated with giant autumn fruits, creating a magical backdrop for book adventures.

• When: September 25–28
• Where: VDNG
• Entry: Free

Barometer International Bar Show

For the seventh time, the Barometer International Bar Show — the largest hospitality event in Ukraine — will take place in Kyiv. The top bartenders, producers, and enthusiasts of bar culture will gather at the Parkovy Exhibition and Convention Center.

The festival impresses with its scale: 17 bars, 100 alcohol brands, over 60 lectures, workshops, and tastings. In 2025, the theme of the event is UNSHAKEN — about communities and individuals who remain steadfast through personal and national upheavals, continuing to develop the industry.

Guests can expect the educational program UNSHAKEN TALKS, designed for professionals and those just discovering the world of bar culture. Topics will include personal resilience, managing teams during crises, adapting global trends, and Ukraine’s place on the international bar map.

The event will be divided into several thematic zones:

• BAR CORE — the main stage of bar culture;
• UNSHAKEN PARTNERSHIP — partner stands;
• THE TASTING COMPASS — three tasting spaces: tradition, innovation, impression;
• SHIFT LAB — workshops and masterclasses;
• FOOD & LOUNGE ZONE — a space for relaxation and gastronomic discoveries.
• When: September 27–28
• Where: Parkovy Exhibition and Convention Center
• Entry: from 700 UAH

Cheese Art Festival

The Cheese Art Festival is an event that brings together everyone who considers cheese their top gastronomic favorite. The Mystetskyi Arsenal will host a large cheese market, masterclass zones, and a massive food court in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

Organizers promise over 300 types of cheese for tasting, more than 50 cheese market participants, culinary masterclasses, cheese platter creation, and recipes from top chefs. In the food court, guests will be able to try both familiar cheese dishes and entirely new gastronomic combinations.

There will be a special kids' zone with entertainment, and at the end of the festival’s first day, guests will enjoy a concert by the band KADNAY. The event also has a charitable goal: interactive activities will raise funds for the Shields Ukraine Foundation to provide rehabilitation equipment for one of the National Guard's medical centers.

• When: September 27–28, 2025
• Where: Mystetskyi Arsenal
• Entry: 200–600 UAH

LINOLEUM: Festival of Contemporary Animation and Media Art

LINOLEUM is the largest festival of auteur animation and media art in Ukraine. Its goal is to show that animation goes far beyond children's entertainment and can be a powerful tool for exploring current issues, philosophical questions, and new artistic forms.

The 2025 program includes three competition sections, including a commercial animation contest featuring music videos, TV intros, and educational clips. Non-competition screenings will be divided into thematic blocks: from experimental animation to video art, from children's programs to philosophical films.

In addition to screenings, guests can attend masterclasses and lectures on the stages of creating animated films, the work of professionals in the field, and international trends. There will also be a special film selection for younger audiences.

• When: October 1–5
• Where: UNIT.City and the House of Cinema
• Entry: 500–800 UAH

Autumn in Kyiv is full of festivals — from cozy literary gatherings and film screenings to large-scale gastronomic events and bar shows. And if you’re looking to combine your festival calendar with active outdoor fun, be sure to check out our guide “Active Kyiv-2025: Where to Run, Ride, and Train Outdoors.”